Blumberg, D.
Swirski, E., Div. of Entomology, ARO, The Volcani Center, Bet Dagan, Israel

The prey consumption and preying ability of Cybocephalus micans Reittei, C. nigriceps nigriceps (J. Sahlberg), and C. binotatus Grouvelle, while fed on several armoured scales, were studied. Larvae and adults of C. micans and C. n. nigriceps required small amounts of prey (developmental stages of Aonidiella aurantii [Maskell]) in order to complete their development, survive and reproduce. Adults were almost incapable of feeding on female diaspidid scales, and when supplied with females only, their survival was low and reproduction stopped. Adults of the imported species C. binotatus were able to feed and survive on females of A. aurantii much better than was the local species. Under the same conditions of temperature and relative humidity, adult survival of C. n. nigriceps under starvation was always longer than that of C. micans © 1974 Springer Science + Business Media B.V.